I've always found pastoral inspiration amid nature. Year-round I frequent the local parks to write, paint or escape the stressful routine of everyday life.

Yet, of all seasons to visit the park, Fall is (my) best.

Autumn isn't only visually stunning, but the outdoors seems fresher as chill breezes extinguish the remnants of summer's dying heat.

Though the leaves boast gold and auburn, many folks are discouraged by icy winds, leaving the newly painted park desolate (I get the park to myself, so I can't complain.).

Thus, many miss out on this almost unearthly show of nature at its best.

Alas, no worries. I grabbed my camera, and quested in my local park to capture it.

The park's lake, Lake Luxembourg (Apparently named after the Duchess Luxembourg who spent some time in Pennsylvania.) was still, looking like (sooty) glass.

Only white and brown blisters of ducks and lone egrets rippled its edges.

On my side of the lake, the trees were just beginning to change.

Yet, on the opposite side, the foliage had already turned, reflecting on the lake like a cut facet of topaz.

Aside from the Autumn leaves, there was other blooms of color. It's another charm of Autumn--unlike winter, Autumn is still full of colors of harvest vegetation and hardy flowers.

Unlike last Autumn, there were many purple, red and white flowers.

Maybe I hadn't paid as close attention, but from daisies, berries to Queen Anne's Lace, there are a slew of wildflowers this season.

Worth pointing out are the abundance of abandoned felines in the park. There are 100s of cats due to lazy people not wanting to care for their pets anymore.

Though animal control does nothing, there are homemade cathouses in thick shrubs made of storage containers. It's gotten so bad, that the park has scattered signs that people dumping cats will receive a $400 fine.

On this outing, I counted 11 kitties, one having a busted eye and bloody nose. Sad really.

Walking through the woods to the lake's edge, the woodland floor, littered with fallen leaves, was colorful as the trees.

As the photo above, proves some were massive.

As I took in the scenes and took up the memory in my camera with nonstop photos, I lost track of time.

Soon, the blue hues of evening fell on the park.

Finally it became too chilly and windy for a cold-blooded person like myself, and nearly dusk, so it was time to leave--or they'd kick me out.

Well, not quite; the park rangers do the very minimum.

But, I'll be sure to return soon, and relax amid the natural extravagance of the harvest season.